In 2027, Russia will celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of St. Luke of Crimea, a world-renowned surgeon, bishop and scientist whose name has become a symbol of mercy and loyalty to duty. 124 events are being prepared for the anniversary throughout the country and abroad, and most importantly, the history of this man will be offered to students for the first time in such a volume.
What will change in schools
Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov at the first meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation of the anniversary said that the life of St. Luke will become part of the systematic educational work. Already in the current academic year, students of 6-11 grades will see a film dedicated to him at the classes “Talk about the important”. Sixth graders will get acquainted with his biography in more detail — in the framework of the new subject «Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia», which begins to be gradually introduced this year.
In addition to lessons, an exhibition in historical parks “Russia – My History”, a competition of school essays and a book fair are planned. In total, the Ministry of Education proposed to include 19 events in the anniversary program.
Who is Saint Luke?
Valentin Felixovich Voyno-Yasenetsky was born on April 27, 1877 in Kerch. The talented young man dreamed of painting and was going to enter the Academy of Arts, but during the entrance exams he changed his mind: he decided that he had no right to do what he liked if he could bring people more tangible benefits. He chose medicine, enrolled in the medical faculty of Kiev University.
Surgical practice began in 1904, during the Russo-Japanese War, in the Chita hospital. Then thirteen years of Zemstvo service in hospitals of Simbirsk, Kursk, Orel and Saratov provinces. In 1916 he defended his doctorate in local anesthesia.
In 1921 in Tashkent Voyno-Yasenetsky took the sacred rank, two years later — monastic tonsure with the name of Luke and was ordained bishop. He continued to lecture on surgery in cassock and with a cross on his chest, which caused constant conflicts with the authorities. During his life, he spent about eleven years in exile and prisons – he was arrested three times, accused of espionage, counter-revolutionary activities, tortured at “conveyor” interrogations. But even in exile he treated people: in the Turukhansk Territory he operated on eye diseases, in Arkhangelsk he worked as an ENT, an optometrist and a surgeon at the same time.
With the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, Bishop Luke sent a telegram to the leadership of the country: «I, Bishop Luke, Professor Voyno-Yasenetsky … being a specialist in purulent surgery, can help soldiers in front or rear conditions …» At the end of the war, I am ready to return to exile.” Since October 1941, he became a consultant to all hospitals of the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the chief surgeon of the evacuation hospital, working 8-9 hours and conducting three or four operations a day.
In 1946, for his work “Essays on Purulent Surgery”, Voino-Yasenetsky was awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree – the only clergyman who received such an award. Of the 200 thousand rubles of the prize, 130 thousand he gave to help orphanages. In the same year he was appointed Archbishop of Simferopol and Crimea, the last fifteen years of his life he served in the Crimea.
In 1956, St. Luke was completely blind, but from memory he continued to serve the liturgy, preach and lead the diocese. He died on June 11, 1961 in Simferopol. In 2000, the Bishops’ Council of the Russian Orthodox Church glorified him as a confessor in the form of saints.
Broad anniversary programme
The decree on the state celebration of the 150th anniversary was signed by President Vladimir Putin. The organizing committee was headed by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimean Tikhon.
The Ministry of Culture has prepared 17 events: book and illustrative exhibitions in the Russian State Library and the Russian National Library, historical and local history «Crimean readings», which will be held by the Likhachev Institute of Heritage, the issue of a postage stamp. Scientific and practical conferences and round tables with the participation of experts are planned.
The Ministry of Education and Science sees in the anniversary not just a memorable date, but a scientific and educational project. On the territory of the Crimean Federal University, a monument to St. Luke will be installed, medical workers will be awarded, materials about his scientific activities and church service will be created. Thematic events will be held at the Russian Scientific Center of Surgery named after B. V. Petrovsky, the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences and other scientific institutions.
Documentary and animated films about Luke Krymsky are being created. At the facilities related to his life and service, repair and restoration work will be carried out. With the assistance of the Russian Foreign Ministry and Rossotrudnichestvo, cultural and educational initiatives will be implemented in Russian foreign missions.
Regional events will cover Moscow, Sevastopol, the Republic of Crimea, the Trans-Baikal and Krasnoyarsk territories, the Kursk and Tambov regions – the places where St. Luke lived, worked and served.
Why is it important?
Metropolitan Tikhon at the meeting of the organizing committee stressed that St. Luke always chose conscience, soul and work, both in the Church and in medicine. A man who has gone through eleven years of imprisonment and exile, who has not betrayed his principles and who has continued to save people in the most difficult conditions, such a figure truly deserves to be known from school.
His life is a rare example of how faith and professionalism do not contradict each other, but become two sides of the same ministry. In the words he addressed to young doctors: “The main thing in life is to always do good to people. If you cannot do a great good, try to do at least a little.
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